Feature

RPE Tracking

Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) is how hard a set felt on a 6-10 scale. Plates logs RPE per set, uses it to adjust your estimated 1RM, detect fatigue trends, and personalize when you should push harder or back off.

The RPE scale

Plates uses the standard 6-10 RPE scale with half-point increments (6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10). Each point corresponds to Reps in Reserve (RIR):

RPE	Reps in Reserve	Meaning	Training zone
10	0	Maximum effort, could not do another rep	True 1RM testing
9.5	0-1	Maybe could have done one more on a good day	Heavy singles/doubles
9	1	Definitely had one more rep	Strength peaking
8.5	1-2	Possibly two more reps	Intensification
8	2	Two solid reps left in the tank	Productive training
7.5	2-3	Could do two to three more	Moderate effort
7	3	Three reps left, controlled effort	Accumulation volume
6.5	3-4	Light to moderate, warmup territory	Recovery/warmup
6	4+	Very light, could keep going easily	Deload/warmup

How Plates uses your RPE data

1RM accuracy

Adjusts estimated 1RM calculations using RIR. A set at RPE 8 gives a higher (more accurate) estimate than treating it as a max-effort set.

Fatigue detection

Rising RPE at the same weight signals cumulative fatigue. The engine detects this trend and warns you before performance crashes.

Deload timing

Your personal "grind threshold" is learned from RPE patterns. Deload suggestions trigger at your threshold, not a generic number.

Program prescriptions

Mesocycle programs can prescribe RPE targets (e.g., "3x5 at RPE 7"). The app calculates appropriate weight based on your recent e1RM.

Quick to log, optional by design

RPE logging is a single tap after completing a set. Toggle it on or off in settings. When enabled:

Half-point RPE selector appears below each set
Previous session's RPE shown for reference
Estimated 1RM updates in real time as you log
Session averages visible in workout summary

If you prefer not to track RPE, that's fine. All features work without it. The adaptive engine uses rep and weight patterns when RPE data isn't available.

Autoregulation-ready

RPE tracking enables autoregulated training: adjusting your session based on how you feel rather than a fixed plan. Combined with Plates' mesocycle programs:

Programs prescribe RPE targets per phase (e.g., RPE 7 during accumulation, RPE 8.5 during intensification)
Weight auto-calculates from your recent e1RM and the prescribed RPE
Session readiness rating further adjusts expectations on "off" days
Your actual logged RPE vs. prescribed RPE feeds back into the adaptive profile

What is RPE vs. RIR?

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) and RIR (Reps in Reserve) measure the same thing from different angles. RPE asks "how hard was that?" on a 6-10 scale. RIR asks "how many more could you have done?" They're inversely related: RPE 8 = 2 RIR, RPE 9 = 1 RIR. Plates uses the RPE scale for logging and converts to RIR internally for calculations.

Try Plates free

RPE tracking and 1RM calculations are free. Adaptive fatigue detection and deload timing unlock with Pro.

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